Be the change you wish to
see in the world.
Designed by Madhu Eluri
In 1998, a small group of friends got together to establish a program that would provide a new opportunity for their peers to learn about and work for the South Asian community while augmenting their education through valuable experiences. To do this, they began researching the procedures through which a Fellowship could be established to support students in a way that would both help promote South Asian awareness and support the South Asian community while allowing the recipients the independence and freedom to explore original avenues to accomplish these goals. The Fellowship was named after Mahatma Gandhi because Gandhi, perhaps the most famous South Asian in history, himself most elegantly and thoroughly pronounced these beliefs of social awareness and acceptance as well as personal dedication and hard work to accomplish this goal. Thus, the Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship was established under the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill, recognizing as its primary effort to be one that seeks a more open and accepting society.
Today, the main goals of the Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship are as follows:
These goals, derived from the original philosophy behind the Fellowship, are carried on today by the current MGF Co-Chairs and the Fellows who are selected each year. The Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship is administered today through Sangam, a South Asian awareness organization at UNC-Chapel Hill, which selects the MGF Co-Chairs and coordinates all fundraising efforts. Through the efforts of Sangam and its members, progress continues to be made as students work to raise the $125,000 endowment fund that will guarantee this Fellowship for years to come by allowing new Fellows to be funded simply off the interest generated.
Bindhu Pamarthi
UNC Chapel Hill Class of 2012
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Bachelor of Science in Psychology Double Major
Visit Bindhu's blog!
Burcu Bozkurt
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Class of 2012
Health Policy & Management and Global Studies
Visit Burcu's blog!
To date, there have been twenty-five recipients of this prestigious fellowship. The MGF fellows have been involved in a variety of projects that address issues facing the South Asian population. Past projects have included conducting AIDS/ HIV prevention education in the United States and India, researching cataracts and their effects in South India, and working with non-governmental organizations focusing on womens empowerment in the Indian state of Gujarat.
2011 Fellows
Burcu Bozkurt - Blog
Bindhu Pamarthi - Blog
2010 Fellows
Shenan Bradshaw
Tasha Prados
2009 Fellows
Aravind Chandra
Vishal Rao
Tamara Failor
2008 Fellows
Naman Shah
Grace McNair
2007 Fellows
Priya Soni
Shefa Sikder
2006 Fellows
Supriya Khazanie
Marissa Heyle
2005 Fellows
Sumeet Banker
Anne Kinsella
2004 Fellows
Mrinali Patel
2003 Fellows
Marria Thekkakandam
2002 Fellows
Chandana Achanta
2001 Fellows
2000 Fellows
1999 Fellows
1998 Fellows
Ameena Batanda
Mail all application materials to:
Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship
c/o Sangam
Box 5
CB #5210 Carolina Union
UNC-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Office: Carolina Union Room 3508F
This fellowship awards two summer grants of up to $3,000 each to develop and implement civic engagement projects that employ innovative, sustainable approaches to complex social needs in one of the eight South Asian countries.
Projects are to be carried out in the summer months. Any returning, full-time undergraduate or graduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill is eligible to apply.
2012 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
SANGAM Mahatama Gandhi Fellowship_1.docx
2012 MGF Fellows Application.pdf
travelrestrctions.doc
Be the Change Day of Service
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Be the Change Day of Service is an annual national day of service, organized by SAALT, to inspire and foster civic engagement and community through volunteerism. Thousands of participants across the country contribute numerous hours of community service in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi's famous quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
This year, UNC Sangam and MGF have partnered with Duke University's Diya and UNC's Delta Sigma Iota Fraternity, Inc. to organize a service project in the Triangle area in conjunction with SAALT's national Be the Change Day.
Read about National Be the Change Day
Aaj Ka Dhamaka
Saturday, October 29, 2011
UNC Memorial Hall
AKD - Aaj Ka Dhamaka, meaning "Today's Excitment" in Hindi, is an intercollegiate dance competition featuring teams from all over the East Coast as well as local talent, all performing a range of high-energy South Asian dances. Exhibition performances are put on by students from UNC-Chapel Hill. In the past, it has featured guest performances by internationally acclaimed artists such as RDB (Rhythm, Dhol, Bass), Bikram Singh, Juggy D, Raghav and most recently H Dhami.
This year's competition will be held on October 29th, 2011 at UNC's own Memorial Hall. For ticket information, driving directions, and further information for both the competition and after-party, please visit the website, www.uncakd.com . All proceeds from AKD go directly to the Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship.
The Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship has grown since its establishment in 1998 into one of UNC's foremost international public service scholarships, and it would not be possible without your continued support. In order to keep MGF alive for future students, please consider donating to the fellowship. We are still $75,000 away from reaching our $125,000 endowment and any support, small or large, to help us reach this goal is greatly appreciated.
Though the Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship was established and remains coordinated by students, it could not be successful without the generous support of the community. One of the central goals of the Fellowship is to increase general awareness of South Asian issues, not just for the Fellows and those directly affiliated with MGF, but, perhaps more importantly, for the general community, making this a truly communal effort. The following individuals and groups from the community have generously and selflessly contributed to this endeavor, all aspects of it, and for this, receive our greatest appreciation and thanks.
The Princeton Review
Kaplan
Carolina Pride
Udipi
Tower
Kashmir
Harris Teeter
India Bazaar of Cary
Around the World Market
Royal India
Chapel Hill Florist
Fallon's Creek Flowers
Mr. & Mrs. Shantilal Gondha Mr.& Mrs. Kumar Kori
Mr.& Mrs. Vasnani
Mrs. Manjula Raja
Shailika Shah
Archana Ramesh
Rezwan Ahmed
Niketa Desai
DONATE TO MGF
Address checks to:
MGF c/o Sangam
Please make all checks out to the Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship.
Address:
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2011-2012 MGF Co-Chairs
Pratik Kanabur
Niru Sanghani
